Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

fintail

Did you get the PS thing diagnosed yet?

I just returned from a 300 or so mile jaunt in the E55....almost 24 mpg overall, and that includes a horrible 20 mile bout of stop and go nightmare today. It cruised so comfortably...it's really a different class of car over the C43.

boomchek

Did you get the PS thing diagnosed yet?

Not yet, i'll get that done this week. Right now I'm just topping the power steering fluid. I went through two bottles in about one and a half weeks. I have a leak somewhere, i just hop eit's something minor like a hose.

I bet your E55 feels way more torquey if you step on it.

grandtotal

Never heard of a demo for life, though it makes sense. In any case I wasn't really contradicting you, just pulling your leg.

british_rover

I never heard of a demo for life either till I started working here.

Seems to be fairly unique.

fintail

I went like that in the fintail for a few years...but it would take a good couple months to go through a bottle of fluid. A $2 bottle of fluid was much better than a $300 repair when I was in school. Sounds like you have a big leak...the box would really have to be shot to do that, so hopefully it is something else indeed.

The E55 seems to have what feels like unlimited power in each gear and speed. I've read they are capable of about 190 mph unrestricted.

[Deleted User]

So maybe this is the CCB in me...

We had one of those special 2 year leases on the Odyssey, ended up buying it after the lease ended on a 5 year note at $380/month. So in 5 years we'll own a 7 year old van worth ?? after paying almost $34000 for it.

Honda currently has a lease "special" on the new Odysseys, in the $430/month range, for the one we would want, for 3 years. I'm wondering if it would make more financial sense to lease a new one even though we'd own nothing in 3 years, or continue paying for the 04 and own it in another 4 or so years with it being worth ??

Am I trying to reason myself into a new car

corvette

As Terry would say, it depends, and I'm not talking about the kind you wear...

What is the van worth now and how much do you owe on it? The upshot is that you would get a new, nearly identical van, under warranty for the term of the lease. If you had bought the original van on a 7-year note, it would have probably end up costing $34,000 as well.

Your current van won't be worth a whole lot after it's seven years old, but it's better than the -0- you'd get back at the end of the lease. On the other hand, it looks like it would only cost a little extra to replace it every three years by leasing, as compared to replacing it every seven years by financing.

[Deleted User]

Well, FWIW, Edmunds/KBB/NADA show trade value as $16400/$17400/$18600. We currently owe $17800 on an 04 EX-Cloth with DVD and 28K miles.

corvette

Well, you aren't going to be ahead in cash flow by getting back more than you owe on the van if you sell it. And, it's not like the Ody has a bad reputation for reliability. This may be heresy here, but if it were me, I'd lean toward just keeping the current one and re-evaluating when a new model that you're interested in comes out. I'd go ahead and pay the $50 extra a month (that you were considering spending on a lease) on the note on the current van if the interest rate is more than 3-4%.

boomchek

Just curious how did you decode the VIN on your E55?

I figured out all the options on my car from a MB price sheet and a brochure that I had from 2001, and I just realized a couple of nights ago that I have rain sensing wipers too.

fintail

It's online:

http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

Now and then an option code will be out of date, but it's pretty accurate, and really pretty cool. It will work on any MB made since standardized VINs came into usage.

boomchek

Thanks, I'll check it out.

We took in a 2001 MB C240 with 60k miles on a trade and I had a look inside, and the power steering is making the same noise as mine. Seems like it might have been a common problem on these cars.

british_rover

Fintail you don't know of anymore of those VIN decoders around do you?

I have a VIN decoder sheet for Land Rovers and can do a lot of it in my head but for other cars I just don't have it commited to memory.

boomchek

Thanks Fintail. I just got my car decoded, and it seems pretty accurate. I wonder where they get the info. they must have some kind of a hook up with the manufacturer or the factory.

fintail

Nope, I've never seen anything like it for any other makes.

There is a page for pre-VIN MB if you have the original data sheet...so you can decode the numeric option codes (like deciphering the numbers on an old muscle car), but I've never seen anything else.

fintail

I don't know where it comes from either. They must have access to some fantastic database. When I am very bored I go to ebay or other online classifieds and run a few vins just for the heck of it.

british_rover

Hmhh thats too bad. I could proably create one that was Land Rover specific if I was a little better at programing and HTML...

corvette

I took advantage of the A4 24-month lease special that's going on for the rest of the month. Mine is a navy 2.0T Quattro model with the six-speed auto, premium package (17" wheels, leather, and sunroof), sport suspension, metallic paint, and heated seats.

It's more fluffy than the 3-series but still has a sporty side to it. I pick it up on Saturday.

nyccarguy

In the 3er?

corvette

Still have it. Will get a few ACV offers and sell it to the highest offeror.

british_rover

I assuming you get the DSG gearbox?

corvette

No flappy paddles on the steering wheel--just a +/- gate on the shifter. And when you have it in "Drive," the instrument cluster displays which gear you're in. I think it's a conventional automatic and not a DSG.

british_rover

Hmhh I thought the DSG was avaliable in the A4 but I guess it is not.

Funny that the DSG is the standard gear box in the Rabbit but not avaliable in the A4. Wonder if it is a Quattro thing.

lilengineerboy

The Rabbit has a 5spd manual or 6spd Tip, the GTI has a 6spd manual or the optional DSG. You can't get a Turbo Rabbit but the GTI comes as a 4dr now, but seems pricy.
Don't freak me out, its hard enough to find a descent manual these days.

british_rover

Ohh hmy I thought the Rabbit did have the DSG...

I knew the EOS used the DSG box which almost makes me ok with forcing me to get a automatic for my wife...

woodyww

The A4 sounds awesome. (I was wondering what would happen w/the CRV idea). If you don't mind, what are the details on the Audi lease?

corvette

The "ad car" was $379 per month and included a 2.0T model with Quattro and a six-speed auto and premium package (17" wheels, sunroof, and real leather). Mine has that plus metallic paint, a sport suspension, and heated seats, which increase the MSRP by about $1,000 and together add $10 to the monthly payment, so $389 per month plus my state's 6% sales tax makes my payment $413 per month. The first payment was due when I agreed to the deal, plus the $575 acquisition fee Audi charges, and the dealership added a $425 doc fee. I probably should have dickered over that but didn't because even with the doc fee, the selling price of the car was below Edmunds TMV. And, they used Audi's base money factor. 15,000 miles per year.

Long story short, $1400 in fees and first payment to get out the door, plus the $413 per month payment. Only the 5,000 mile service is free, so I'm on the hook for the 15k and 25k at about $200 a pop. If I don't buy the car at the end of the lease there's a disposition fee of about $300--I don't have the paperwork in front of me right now.

It's not as sporty as the BMW, but the ride is more compliant on rough roads, and the interior is incredibly nice. The engine has plenty of torque and no turbo lag, and it's more quiet than most four-cylinders. Fuel economy appeared to be in the high 20s on the way home (highway drive), although I have only a distance-to-empty gauge to go by and no on-board computer. I'm rolling the dice on reliability.

woodyww

I've had serious cases of Audi Lust in the past. But I always chickened out before buying one--I think leasing is the way to go with an Audi. It's kind of cool that the state only charges you sales tax on the mo. payment--is that correct?

If I figure the depreciation on my 5-series, that I bought at 2 years old, it comes to at least $5K per year. Maybe $5K/yr. depreciation or lease payments is the minimum to enjoy a new or newish Euro. auto(?).

Sounds like a very cool car--I wonder if the looks & interior aren't even nicer than the 3-series? Anyway, congrats on the new ride; I'm envious of the Quattro this time of year!

Woody

corvette

Yes, Kentucky only charges sales tax on the monthly lease payment--although, I think that's true for most states, as that's the result you get when you put the tax rate into a standard lease calculator. If you buy the car at the end of the lease you pay sales tax on the residual value.

The interior is much nicer than the 3-series. There are a lot of little storage bins throughout. Minor gripes: The steering wheel radio controls are poorly designed and the power window switches feel extremely cheap.

I really like the looks, but I think it's a toss-up between it and the 3-er. The Audi's higher ground clearance is convenient for aggressively-angled driveway entrances, and the ride is noticeably softer but still has that Euro feel to it. Haven't really experienced the Quattro yet--it's been unseasonably warm here the past couple of weeks.

I don't think $5k a year is a bad price to pay to get the best two years of a $34,000 car's life. And, once I sell the 3-er, I'll have something in the bank to help pay for the next car.

british_rover

is for fintail as I think he would appreciate it the most.

Hopefuly he does not have dialup...

Mercedes stuggart flagship dealership

There are probably close to a 100 pictures in that thread just to warn you.

fintail

Is that the big new museum plus a dealership? I've seen pics of that racetrack setup before.

I NEED to go there, I guess I should start making plans for a couple weeks off this or next year...

Even a couple fintails spotted...nice to see a marque that supports every model.

british_rover

Yeah the museuem is not done yet I think. Or maybe that was the Porsche musuem he went to hmhh.

I am thinking that the next car I buy if I buy a new one I want to do the euro delivery and go to a couple of cool places like that in europe.

Maybe try out the new car at the RING as well.

akangl

My truck decided to cough up an injector in Kennewick, Wa we are stuck waiting on it to get fixed. The dodge dealer down here has been amazing, they even paid for a rental car for us. Imagine my surprise when the rental agency pulled up with a 2007 Dodge Charger, lol.

Of course the car freak in me started drooling. I drove it a bit last night and once you get used to the big car swimmy feel that it has its actually a pretty fun car to drive. It will get and go with little effort. Its comfy, but the big nose makes you think twice when it comes to parking. Overall a pretty cool car. I'd rather have the SRT-8 form of it, but this one is fun.

We should have the truck back today and then we are headed to Walla Walla to buy the 4-horse trailer we came down to get. Then its back to Alaska.......another 2600 miles, ugh. :sick:

rockylee

You live in Alaska I take it ? That is a heck of a drive.

My BIL drove from Biloxi to Alaska and slept only a couple of hours. :surprise:

Rocky

guss

Top Gear had a really cool piece about the Ring. I never really knew what it was all about until I saw it. They had a woman race car driver showing one of the hosts how to drive around it.

So if you are buying a Porsche, European delivery would be great. But, it would probably spoil you for the roads back here.

british_rover

That would be Sabine Schmidt who is a pro ring taxi driver.

Channels Clarkson It has been said she has named every blade of grass around The Nürburgring and can 360 degrees around her head.

As I understand it she has more laps around the Ring then any other person alive.

Might find this interesting.

corvette

I'm anxiously awaiting the new season of Top Gear...

guss

Absolutely the best car show. They seem to catch the way most car enthusiasts really feel about cars. We may not ever be able to drive a Ferrari, but if we could we would drive the way they do.

mark156

I've decided that it's time to go shopping... For a Motorhome! I have been looking for quite sometime and have rented units for the last three years. Now, the rental fees can go towards a purchase!

I'm ready to travel the USA and Canada (over a five year period).

The unit that I'm looking at is 43 ft, 4 slide outs, 400 hp Cummins diesel, nav, solar power, dishwasher, stackable W/D, king bed, tandem axle, opposing leather sofa's, etc.

I just need to check which dealer will give me the best deal as I have found at least 3 that have the unit that I'm looking for.

Mark156

guss

Whay is the financing like on a motorhome ? Will they let you take it out 10 years?

I have rented them a few times for going to Penn State football games. For being so big they are very easy to drive.

mark156

Guss, luckily... I'm not financing.. the money is coming out of my private funds. I think motorhome loans can go for 20 years if you want them to.

I was impressed that the dealer immediately knocked off 24% of MSRP without much prodding. I think that is fair.

I'm still looking around and will probably make my decision in 3 or 4 weeks. Can't wait to get started on traveling down the road!

Mark156

fintail

I might be helping with another car purchase soon...my mother's 00 Taurus is acting up (stalling when she puts it in drive or reverse), and I think she's tired of it. When I visited at Christmas she was very impressed with the E55, and I think she might be a little envious and wanting a new or newer car, not to mention something nicer than rental grade. I don't know when she'll act...but I get a sense something is coming soon, and she'll make me her advisor. Like many 60-something women, she has a thing for the Avalon...but I know she won't want to spend that kind money. I might have her look at year old Lucernes or 500s. She's been fairly Ford loyal for many years.

qbrozen

You're actually looking at a NEW one??

couldn't you save a small fortune going used on such a beast?

akangl

Don't buy new if you can avoid it, those things are the depreciation KINGS!!!

We bought a new 2004 Fleetwood Wilderness Yukon 24BH travel trailer, paid $21k for it or something like that and a year later it was worth $7500 trade and $12k retail. Our trailer is immaculate, very well cared for, no pets, non smokers, ect, but when we looked at going to a bigger trailer we found that ours had lost all its value.

I WISH we had bought used, could have picked up a 1 year old travel trailer that was MUCH bigger than the one we have for 1/2 the price. Lesson learned, won't do that again. We'll probably keep our trailer for another 2-3 years then move up to a horse trailer with living quarters.

Also, if you can get a low rate you should finance the thing, the interest is a write off on taxes, just a thought.

mark156

qbrozen and akangl.. believe me, I know that I could save by buying used... but, I want brand new as the 2007 model has so many updates over the '06 model.

If I decide to go with this unit that I drove today (still looking at two different brands) they are giving me a really decent price (76% of MSRP). I will keep this unit for at least five years or more.

After taxes and all.... I'll be out about $300,000.... but, that's what I've been saving it for and I can handle it. My moto is.... pay cash, never finance... and I've done that since 1988. Everything I have is paid for or I don't need it! I'll retire totally in 1.5 years at 50. Yeah!!!

Once I pick out the unit, I'll take pictures and post them. Can't wait to get on the road.

Happy Travels.. Mark

akangl

Towards keeping my membership to the CCBA, but we did buy something. It cost around what a used car would be I guess. Went to a LOT of trouble to get it, 5500 miles worth of trouble!



Its not quite that clean now after coming up the Alaska Highway, but it made the trip pretty much unscathed.

Its in such nice condition that its hard to believe its 7 years old.

mark156

Akangl, of course it counts!!! It has tires!!! The horse trailer looks brand new from the picture, can't believe it's 7 yrs old. I don't think the horses will know or care how old the trailer is. :P

Congrats on the new purchase!

Mark156

growwise

300 grand for a recreational vehicle? :surprise:

Good to know that conspicuous consumption is alive and well..

I for one am going the other way (relatively speaking that is ) I had a change of mind regarding new car lust after a recent business trip that took me to less fortunate part of the world (low cost sites in business speak).

It was mind boggling how families transport themselves on two wheelers and sub-subcompacts. My POS is considered a luxury car over there... I have a new found appreciation for low cost hatchbacks and what they do.

More than that I had an introspection as to why we always gotta have the shiny stuff when people overseas are getting by just fine in old jalopies... Perhaps I found the cure?

stickguy

Guess what most of those countries (at least the people you are hiring) are trying to do? Develop an economy so they can buy shiny new luxury cars, and all the other "stuff", too!

andre1969

Hey Mark, what brand is this motorhome? I'm curious to look through the online brochure (if they have one). I've always had a fascination with motorhomes. A few years back I came close to buying an old 1974 Travco 220. So then I could've had all the problems of an old car and an old house all rolled into one! :P

If it's a diesel pusher, with a tandem rear axle, I think those tend to be built better, and therefore have better resale than the gasoline models.